The weather might be cooler but things heat up in February with an array of vibrant and exciting events to keep you entertained and curious. From London Fashion Week to the London Classic Car Show, there is something for everyone.
Chinese New Year:
London’s Chinatown comes alive with vibrant parades, dragon dances, firecrackers, street performances and cultural performances to welcome the Chinese New Year in Chinatown and join free events in Trafalgar Square. Don’t miss the opportunity to eat a meal in one of Chinatown’s delicious restaurants.
Imagine Children’s Festival:
A family-friendly festival at the Southbank Centre, offering a variety of creative workshops, performances, and activities for children of all ages with interactive events at the Southbank Centre. This is a fabulously creative and enriching programme of events that little ones – and not-so-little ones – will enjoy!
London Fashion Week:
A major event in the global fashion industry, London Fashion Week showcases the latest collections from renowned designers and emerging talents through runway shows, presentations, and exhibitions. Keep an eye out for pop-up events and a new focus on sustainable and slow fashion.
LGBT+ History Month:
Throughout February, London celebrates the history, achievements, and contributions of the LGBT+ community with a series of events, exhibitions, talks, and performances. Monuments and buildings are lit on rainbow colours in solidarity with the LGBT+ community and the city is alight with colour and the celebration.
Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens:
Kew Gardens hosts an annual Orchid Festival, showcasing stunning displays of vibrant orchids from around the world, along with art installations and special events. Kew is magnificent in all seasons but there is something very special about these exotic plants.
Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday):
Celebrated across London, Pancake Day involves pancake races, flipping competitions, and indulging in delicious pancakes at various venues and markets. Taking place before Ash Wednesday in the Christian calendar, this day is now more about joyous medly of flour, butter, eggs and sugar than anything else,
Africa Writes:
A literary festival dedicated to African literature and writing, featuring panel discussions, book launches, author talks, workshops, and performances at the British Library.
Chinese Visual Festival:
Showcasing contemporary Chinese cinema, the Chinese Visual Festival screens a diverse range of films, documentaries, and animations at venues across London.
London Classic Car Show:
A must-visit for car enthusiasts, this show exhibits a wide range of classic cars, vintage vehicles, and iconic automobiles at the ExCeL London exhibition centre.
Jewish Book Week:
A literary festival celebrating Jewish writing and culture, featuring talks, discussions, book signings, and workshops with prominent authors, at venues including Kings Place and JW3.
London International Mime Festival:
Showcasing the best of contemporary mime, physical theatre, and visual performance, this festival presents a diverse programme of shows and workshops across various venues.
The London Art Fair:
An annual art fair held at the Business Design Centre, showcasing modern and contemporary art from leading galleries, artists, and dealers.
Independent Label Market:
A gathering of independent record labels and vinyl enthusiasts, where music lovers can explore and purchase a wide range of records from different genres at various locations.
Hyper Japan:
A celebration of Japanese culture, Hyper Japan offers a mix of traditional and contemporary Japanese arts, crafts, fashion, music, food, and gaming, held at Olympia London.
And there is much, much more!
Vault Festival featuring diverse performances in tunnels beneath Waterloo Station.
Winter Lights at Canary Wharf displaying light art installations.
London Remixed Festival showcasing live bands, DJs, and remixers.
London Ice Sculpting Festival with incredible ice sculptures and demonstrations.
London Super Comic Con for comic book and pop culture fans.
London Whisky Week with tastings and events for whisky enthusiasts.
TfL’s free Winter Wanders – Guided walks exploring London’s hidden gems and history.
The Six Nations Rugby Championship matches at Twickenham Stadium.
London Children’s Book Fair featuring authors, illustrators, and literary events for young readers.
London Film Festival: BFI Future Film Festival showcasing emerging talents and screenings taking place at the Southbank.
London Magic Lantern Festival featuring traditional illuminated lantern displays and cultural performances to mark the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and the beginning of the spring.
London Beer Week with tastings, pub crawls, and brewery tours for beer enthusiasts.
London Motorcycle Show showcasing the latest models and motorcycle culture.
London Bridal Fashion Week presenting bridal couture and wedding-related exhibits.
Please check related websites for the most up-to-date information as details may have changed since the publication of this guide.
